The secondhand minibus market can be as much a gold field as it is a minefield. Bargains exist to be snapped up by the wise, while there are pitfalls that can trap the unwary. Using the following tips will help you make the right choice.
1: Knowledge is power: Those who undertake the buying process with a wide-eyed, innocent approach tend to end up losing. Do your research, on the Internet, in magazines, books, newspapers or any other relevant source. Knowing more than the vendor about the minibus(es) in question puts you at an advantage.
2: Unprofessional body repairs couldn’t be easier to spot. Areas of colour that don’t quite match, ripply panels, badly-fitting doors and the like will be obvious, provided you don’t try to examine a rain-sodden minibus. Minor impact damage can be repaired successfully, by the pros but a poor repair suggests you look elsewhere.
3: What are the tyres like? Yes, they’re round black things but what about their condition. Balding treads can be a good bargaining point, on a minibus or car. Tyres with cracked sidewalls, lumps, bumps and cuts can be an accident waiting to happen. Look carefully for odd tread wear patterns. These could merely show the need for the steering to be re-tracked or they could be indicators of suspension damage.
4: Scrutinise the interior of the minibus. Should it be particularly shabby, the vehicle could have received some shabby treatment. Look especially at the steering wheel, the pedals and the speedometer. If the first two are shiny, the minibus is a high-miler. Damage to the screws around the instruments means the speedo may have been replaced or wound back. Slack windows and door fittings (especially on the driver’s side) are also high-mileage giveaways.
5: Now for a blood test, under the bonnet. The engine’s oil is its lifeblood. Pull out the dipstick and if it’s coated with thick, black, sludgy oil, the minibus’s service history is suspect. The oil, if it’s new-ish, should be clean and golden-brown.
While in the vicinity, take a look under the minibus. Should anything be leaking, the evidence will be there.
6: Ask for the minibus’s V5C, its registration certificate. Check that the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on this tallies with the one on the vehicle. You’ll find it on a chassis or body plate. Also, check the MOT certificate(s). The mileage figures should be progressive and believable.
7: Have a realistic test drive. A five-minute ’round the block’ test is no use at all. Drive for long enough for the engine and transmission to become thoroughly warm. Use the minibus as you intend to use it and don’t pussyfoot with the controls. Don’t forget to test all the electrical items, lights included.
8: You may be working for a charity but remember that dealers and vendors aren’t. You can expect to chip away at the price but insulting offers mark you as a timewaster. Remember that a dealer can offer a warranty. In a private purchase, you buy the minibus ‘as seen’. Should the engine explode on the way home, it’s your problem.
The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit our website for minibus driving advice and to receive an online quote for minibus insurance.
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